Yearly Archives: 2022

Album review: VAST CONDUIT – Always Be There

Posted on February 17, 2022 by GRTR! HQ
VAST CONDUIT - Always Be There

Vast Music Conduit [Release date 16.02.22] I have to admit I’ve never really been into the American prog rockers Enchant but – after hearing this – I think I should.  The band flourished in the neo-prog decade of the 1990s. … Continue reading →

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Gig review: RUSS BALLARD – 100 Club, London, 10 February 2022

Posted on February 16, 2022 by andynathan
RUSS BALLARD- 100 Club, London, 10 February 2022

The over used word ‘legendary’ applies in Russ Ballard’s case, as one of the very best and most prolific songwriters for a wide range of pop and rock artists, not to mention a distinguished and long career as singer and … Continue reading →

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Interview: RONNI LE TEKRO

Posted on February 15, 2022 by jason
thumbnail_Ronni Le Tekrø 2 - photo credits Carl Eek

Ronni Le Tekrø is considered one of the world’s most influential metal guitarists, first and foremost with his band TNT, but also as a solo artist and studio musician. Tekrø has sold over 4 Million albums with TNT and was … Continue reading →

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Gig review: CHANTEL McGREGOR & AYNSLEY LISTER – The Stables, Milton Keynes, 6 February 2022

Posted on February 15, 2022 by jason
Chantel McGregor - RAMBLIN' MAN FESTIVAL - Day 3 - Mote Park, Maidstone - 21 July 2019

Original co-headliner, Finnish guitarist Erja Lyytinen, was unable to travel due to Covid restrictions. Fortunately, Chantel McGregor could call upon an old friend, Aynsley Lister, to join her for three nights of her tour, the last of which was at … Continue reading →

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Album review: GIANT – Shifting Time

Posted on February 14, 2022 by andynathan
GIANT- Shifting Time

Frontiers Records (Release Date 21.01.22) In the small and incestuous world of melodic rock the release of a new Giant album has caused the liveliest controversy for many years. Their first two albums are widely seen as classics of the … Continue reading →

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Gig review: THOSE DAMN CROWS – Tramshed, Cardiff – 5th February 2022

Posted on February 14, 2022 by david.wilson
mini_crows6

It has been a while since I reviewed a show, i believe it may have been the Steelhouse Away Day 1 with Bernie Marsden which was in 2019. We know why the 2nd one didn’t happen, and also put pay … Continue reading →

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Album review: ALAN PARSONS – One Note Symphony (Live In Tel Aviv)

Posted on February 13, 2022 by brianmc
alan parsons one note in tel aviv

Frontiers [release date: 11.02.22] This was Alan Parsons and his travelling band’s fourth time gigging in Israel, enjoying the huge honour of appearing with the highly regarded Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra. Frontiers signed Parsons 4 years ago, releasing his “solo” album, … Continue reading →

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Album review: TRICK OR TREAT – Creepy Symphonies

Posted on February 13, 2022 by jason
TRICK OR TREAT – Creepy Symphonies

Scarlet Records [Release date 01.04.22] ‘Creepy Symphonies’ is the seventh studio album from Trick Or Treat, who always entertain with their music. Like Freedom Call, Trick Or Treat like to think of their music as happy metal. Vocalist Alle Conti … Continue reading →

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Album review: KRIS BARRAS BAND – Death Valley Paradise

Posted on February 13, 2022 by GRTR! HQ
KRIS BARRAS BAND - Death Valley Paradise

Mascot [Release date 04.03.22] Kris Barras was voted Breakthrough Act in our 2021 poll and the last couple of years have seen him – like many artists – maintaining his profile largely due to livestreaming.  But it’s also given him … Continue reading →

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Album review: MARILLION – An Hour Before It’s Dark

Posted on February 12, 2022 by GRTR! HQ
MARILLION - An Hour Before It's Dark

Intact/earMUSIC [Release date 04.03.22] CD+DVD Digipak / CD Digipak / Jewelbox CD / Blu-ray Softbox / 2LP Gatefold / Ltd. Coloured 2LP (Orange) The past two years of pandemic has understandably pervaded album releases, the most extreme outcome is a … Continue reading →

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Album review: GIRISH AND THE CHRONICLES – Hail To The Heroes

Posted on February 12, 2022 by brianmc
girish and chronicles

Frontiers [release date: 11.02.22] Highly derivative hard rock/metal from Bengaluru, India band, Girish And The Chronicles. They are now on their third album, and first on Frontiers. The album’s title, ‘Hail To The Heroes’ suggests a bunch of declamatory stadium … Continue reading →

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Album review: CITY OF LIGHTS – Before The Sun Sets

Posted on February 11, 2022 by brianmc
city of lights

Frontiers [Release date: 11.02.22] Debut album from City Of Lights – Brit guitarist/writer Neil Austin and Greek vocalist Manos Fatsis (Hideaway).  They are joined in the studio by members of Creye, Degreed and Art Nation. It’s clear that a passionate … Continue reading →

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Book review: DONT WORRY ‘BOUT THE BEAR (From the Blues to Jazz, Rock & Roll and Black Sabbath) by Jim Simpson with Ron Simpson

Posted on February 11, 2022 by petefeenstra
Jim Simpson - Don

Brewin Books [Publication date 22.06.2019] Jim Simpson’s ‘Don’t Worry ‘Bout The Bear’ – the title comes from a Doctor Ross song written for the author– is a down to earth account of his 60 plus years in the music business, … Continue reading →

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Gig review:JIM KIRKPATRICK- The Cavern, Raynes Park, London, 3 February 2022

Posted on February 9, 2022 by andynathan
P1220401 - Copy

One of my favourite gigs of last year was when FM guitarist Jim Kirkpatrick played The Cavern bar in suburban South-west London.  The occasion was special enough, being my first show after the 2021 lockdown was relaxed, but the musical … Continue reading →

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Album review : DEGREED – Are You Ready

Posted on February 9, 2022 by brianmc
DEGREED-are-you-ready-COVER_600x600

Frontiers [Release date: 11.02.22] Are You Ready is Degreed’s sixth album, and their first on Frontiers. Robin Erikkson, Mats Erikkson, Mikael Blanc and Daniel Johansson have come a long long way in six albums. Their focus is clearly on the … Continue reading →

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EP review: LORDS OF RUIN – Ruin Within

Posted on February 7, 2022 by jason
LORDS OF RUIN - Ruin Within

Website [Release 24.01.22; streaming services from 14.02.22] Metal band, Lords of Ruin have released their long-awaited debut EP, following the inevitable Covid delays to production and release, which have affected so many up-and-coming bands. It literally stalled them in their … Continue reading →

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Single review: SKINNY KNOWLEDGE – I Wonder

Posted on February 6, 2022 by jason
SKINNY KNOWLEDGE - I Wonder

Facebook [Release date 25.02.22] Bournemouth based rockers, Skinny Knowledge follow up on their awesome debut album, ‘Don’t Turn Out the Lights’ with a new single, ‘I Wonder’. The single continues the band’s own brand of high energy, alternative rock that … Continue reading →

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Album review: JACK FRANCIS – Jack Francis

Posted on February 6, 2022 by brianmc
JACK FRANCIS - Jack Francis

Good Deeds Music [Release date: 04.02.22] In introducing his remarkably lean and confident debut album, Jack Francis manages to namecheck Bruce Springsteen, and without realising it, Paul McCartney. There are echoes of ‘Yesterday’ in his story that the song, ‘Helena’, … Continue reading →

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Album review: JAMIE’S GUNS – Sex, Drugs & Weapons of War

Posted on February 6, 2022 by jason
JAMIE'S GUNS – Sex, Drugs & Weapons of War

Facebook [Release date 04.01.22] This band was one of my lucky finds in 2021, when I spotted the debut self-titled album in the NWOCR Facebook group, and I have been sharing their music far and wide ever since, whilst eagerly … Continue reading →

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Album review: POCO – One Night In Nashville

Posted on February 5, 2022 by GRTR! HQ
POCO - One Night In Nashville

Purple Pyramid/Cleopatra [Release date 28.01.22] This 2004 live recording is one of the last to feature original members Rusty Young, Richie Furay, and George Grantham together with Paul Cotton who joined the band for their third album in 1971 replacing … Continue reading →

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Album review : BRIX SMITH and MARTY WILLSON-PIPER – Lost Angeles

Posted on February 5, 2022 by brianmc
brix lost angeles

Cadiz Music [Release date: 17.o1.22] This one has an interesting story behind it. Brix Smith was originally named after The Clash standard, Guns of Brixton, which is pretty cool. In the 90’s she went to a gig in her native … Continue reading →

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Album review: JOHNNY COPPIN – River Of Dreams

Posted on February 5, 2022 by jason
JOHNNY COPPIN – River Of Dreams

Red Sky Records [Release date 25.02.22] Johnny Coppin is a singer songwriter who was a member of Decameron back in the 1970′s and has released over a dozen solo albums to date. He has toured as part of a duo … Continue reading →

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Album review: CACTUS – The Birth Of Cactus 1970

Posted on February 5, 2022 by GRTR! HQ
CACTUS - The Birth Of Cactus 1970

Purple Pyramid/Cleopatra [Release date 21.01.22] Following other heavyweights such as Iron Butterfly and Vanilla Fudge, Cactus fashioned their own brand of bluesy heavy rock at the turn of the sixties.  It was a supergroup in the making with ex-Fudgers Carmine … Continue reading →

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Album review: SLADE – Alive, Slade In Flame (splatter vinyl)

Posted on February 5, 2022 by jason
SLADE - Alive, Slade In Flame (splatter vinyl)

BMG [Release date 26.11.21] BMG continue their excellent Slade reissue campaign. The West Midlands glam rock legends had many a hit in the 70s. Fronted by Noddy Holder, they were the face of laddish glam hard rock. After a difficult … Continue reading →

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Gig review: SAXON- Hammersmith Apollo, London, 29 January 2022

Posted on February 4, 2022 by andynathan
P1220381 - Copy

Saxon’s 40th anniversary show was a case of deferred pleasure even by current standards. It was actually first scheduled as long ago as October 2019 but delayed when singer Biff Byford underwent heart surgery, and subsequently rescheduled at least twice … Continue reading →

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